Reggie Rose: Lessons from Raya, Flekken and Kelleher | OneFootball

Brentford B goalkeeper Reggie Rose has been taking every opportunity that has come his way during pre-season to learn more about himself as a player and a person.

Having been away with the first team to Portugal on their pre-season tour, the 21-year-old shot-stopper spoke about learning from new Bees keeper Caoimhín Kelleher.

“It was a good start, it was nice to be back with the group,” explained Rose.

“It was class going away with the first team to Portugal again. Caoimhín's come in and he’s been top, it’s so good to have a strong group to train with.

“He’s class - I love the fact that he’s so calm and composed and he’s someone that I can learn a lot from.

“Portugal was amazing – it was a top training centre and facilities. The intensity of training was unreal, and it was a very together group.

“The social side of it was great - downtime was really important. Keith [Andrews] stressed to us how important it was for us to always be together. The beach volleyball was top - I didn’t lose.”

Rose has had plenty of opportunity during his time with the goalkeeper’s union whilst in west London to learn from a stellar roster of shot-stoppers.

“I’ve been so lucky, I’ve worked with David Raya, Mark Flekken and now Caoimhín Kelleher,” continued Rose.

“If I can take just one thing from each of them, I’ll put myself in a really good place.

“There’s always been a pathway from the B team to the first team for keepers. Ben Winterbottom came up from the B team and so did Coxy [Matthew Cox] - I know there’s a pathway, I’ve just got to work hard and hopefully the rewards will come.”

Rose was an integral part of the B-team squad that won the Under-21 Professional Development League last season, starting in the 3-2 national final win over Bournemouth, and has ambitions to help the group repeat their success this year.

“I want to play as much as possible and try to get around the first team whenever I can. We need to build on last year’s success and be even better,” emphasised Rose.

“I need to keep working hard and be consistent for the U21s and then hopefully I can push into some matchday squads for the first team.

"I think last season was a real stepping stone for us as a group. Being here the season before where we weren’t as successful, it helped us last year to be better and we were unstoppable at times.

“We were unlucky not to win the Premier League Cup final, but we bounced back the next week and won the league so it’s all we could ask for really.

“When we had knocks, we just dusted ourselves down and that was a huge part of our mentality.”

Rose has come on leaps and bounds since joining the Bees as a scholar and is looking to continue that trend.

“It’s a younger group this season but it’s a good group. There are a few of us that have been here a long time and we know we have to try and help the young ones as much as possible,” he stated.

“I’ve changed a lot. Me and Jani [Viander] were speaking about it, the difference from when I walked in the door here to now is huge, and I owe that to Jani, Manu [Sotelo] and all the coaches that have helped me.

“I see myself as a leader but it’s something I want to keep developing. I’ve got to keep working on myself and in turn that will help the others."